Correction to July ENewsletter

The article containing information about newly selected AOPA US president Craig Fuller mistakenly asserts, in part, that, “Mr Fuller becomes IAOPA President by virtue of the fact that the President of the largest of the 66 AOPAs worldwide automatically assumes the post." In fact, every four years an election is held to select an IAOPA president and regional vice presidents. A nominating committee will shortly be selected that will provide a slate of candidates for the elective offices to IAOPA board members from which they will cast their votes. This procedure has been contained in the IAOPA Constitution and Bylaws since its inception in 1962.

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EASA extension of scope finally adopted The new 'Constitution' for aviation in Europe is now a reality. The regulation that was published March 19'th is called Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 and will have significant consequences for everybody involved in European aviation. The regulation extends the scope of EASA to also cover third country aircraft, operational rules and flight crew licensing. It contains several important definitions such as commercial operation, and complex motor-powered aircraft. Further it introduces a sub-ICAO leisure pilot license for aircraft up to 2000 kg for which the medical may be issued by a general medical practitioner. On the operational side the regulation (annex IV) specifies the essential requirements for operational rules that will be part of any pilots curriculum together with a set of implementing rules which are yet to be published by EASA. Operationally the biggest change for non commercial aviation will be for operators of non-commercial aircraft which fall under the definition of a complex aircraft. Such non commercial operators - even one man operations - in the future must have a management system with internal reporting procedures, a safety programme, an operations manual and a fatigue management system. The non commercial operator is not required to hold an air operators certificate (AOC) but must submit a declaration in which he specifies how he complies with the regulation. A complex aeroplane in this context is any turbojet aircraft or any turboprop aircraft with more than one engine, any aircraft that requires more than one pilot, is certified for more than 19 seats or has a maximum take-off mass exceeding 5700 kg. For example a King Air, an Eclipse VLJ or a Diamond D-Jet will all be complex whereas most of the single engine turboprops such as the TBM 850 or the Pilatus PC-12 will be non-complex. A very unfortunate implication of this definition as pointed out by IAOPA from the beginning of the process, is that corporate operators might be compelled to switch from twin-engine turboprops like the King Air to single engine equivalents like the TBM 850. By doing away with one engine they can get a larger and faster aircraft and avoid all the new bureacratic hazzle associated with operating a complex aircraft. This does not appear to do anything good for safety! Another challenging part of the regulation is the definition of commercial operation which implies that trial lessons and flight training contrary to now will fall in the commercial category. That clearly will have a very significant impact on flying schools that will have to satisfy a whole new set of requirements and of course must rewrite all their manuals and documentation. A lot depends on the actual implementing rules that will specify the requirements in detail. The essential regulation requires that the implementing rules take into account 'the scale and scope of the operation' and IAOPA is represented in the EASA working groups for OPS and FCL rules comitted to making sure that the small non-commercial operator is not forgotten in the big commercial game. EASA's implementing rules are expected to go into consultation already within a few months and the whole package will enter into force no later than April 8'th 2012. Read the full text of Regulation (EC) No 216/2008

In memoriam Jack Meinl

One of Austria’s most experienced pilots and longstanding president of AOPA Austria has passed away on 4th January 2008: Julius (Jack) Meinl, born on 27th October 1930, got his first flying lessons in the late Fourties in the British Royal Airforce. The first airplane he flew was a Tiger Moth. And it was his son who surprised him with the same type of airplane as his last birthday present. When he returned to Austria in 1953 to take the presidential seat of the family owned enterprise in the coffee market he started using his aircraft for business trips all over Europe. In the LORAN times Jack Meinl already crossed the Atlantic in his Turbo-Commander. The high standards he asked for in his company lead him on the yoke of his plane as well. His technical skills and knowledge often surpassed those of even experienced mechanics. An ideal condition to set up and successfully develop his own Maintenance Company Gate V. Jack Meinl never believed blindly in authorities. He was a true liberal and always open minded for new and persuading ideas. The unusual, adventure attracted him. And it only was a question of time to start his around the world flight in a Bombardier airplane to land on tiny atolls in the Pacific or the strip in front of the Wichita production line. Air Rallies belonged to Jacks many passions. And he always combined it with his business: a cop of Meinl-Coffee on the shores of the Baikal Sea or in Usbekistan, negotiating in Saudia Arabia under the tent around the fire place with camel meat roasting on a spit: he always succeeded to combine new experiences and his passion for the benefit of his business. And he never missed a real treat: with coffee producers in Brazil, with the Touaregs in Algeria or just with Meinl at his place, the Graben in Vienna. Jack Meinl, the co-founder of AOPA Austria and their president for more than 30 years, hardly missed a World Assembly or a Regional Meeting. His advice was respected; his interventions on the national or European level were effective and his keen humour always opened the the door for many long evenings in the bright light of General Aviation. The values he preserved, his openness and his desire for adventures are encouraging qualities showing us the way to think far beyond the horizon where he took off for the last leg.

Extraordinary programme for IAOPA 2008 World Assembly in Greece With a recent decision of the Ministry of National Defense and the Hellenic Air Force, ΑΟΡΑ Hellas will be able to use Tatoi Airport for ten days (6-16 June 2008) in order to host the events of the 24th IAOPA World Assembly. More specifically:

All Greek and foreign aircrafts visiting Athens to attend the World Assembly events will be granted free access to Tatoi airport as well as unlimited overnight stays during the World Assembly (6-16 June 2008). The events that will take place at Tatoi airport are as follow The 1st Greek AERO Exhibition for Business and General Aviation with international exhibitors. Air Show (demo Flights) with the participation of civil and military aircraft Initiation flights sponsored by Air BP Seminars for pilots with key note speakers including Phil Boyer, Hellenic Air Force representatives, Air Safety Foundation experts as well as several international instructors. Free access to the Hellenic Air Force Museum and the M. Kyriakou museum Other happenings to be announced The abovementioned events have been made possible thanks to the organizational support of the HAF, the contributions of Sponsors and the active involvement of the entire Aviation family. On 18 September 2007 John Sheehan, Secretary General of IAOPA, visited Athens for two days where he met with the World Assembly Athens 2008 Organizing Committee and visited the venues where the events will take place. His visit culminated with a visit at the Ministry of National Defense -a few hours only before the new government took office- where he met with Air Force Lieutenant General Yagos, Chief of the HAF General Staff. The two men exchanged views with regard to the 2008 events, putting Tatoi airport at the disposal of the World Assembly, the involvement of HAF in the organization as well as to the potential for world wide promotion of the Athens World Assembly. They also discussed other General Aviation issues and HAF’s contributing to their solution. John Sheehan said he could not praise HAF’s decision and support too much and said this is a fabulous contribution to General Aviation in general and to ΙΑΟΡΑ in particular. During the conclusion of his visit, John Sheehan thanked Ms Marina Zompanaki, the president of the Organizing Committee, for the progress achieved until today and expressed confidence for the success of the Conference and the events of the 24th IAOPA World Assembly.

Tatoi Airport will host the events of the 24th IAOPA World Assembly, Athens 2008